IV Infiltration and Complications

If you or your loved one has suffered an IV infiltration injury in a hospital or clinic, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore IV error lawyer can investigate your case to determine the cause of the injuries. You can trust that we will provide you with an honest assessment of your claim so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.

Complications Posed by IV Infiltration

Many patients require IV (intravenous) therapy at some point. IV therapy involves infusing liquid (generally blood or medication) directly into a vein. The procedure is relatively simple and is considered a convenient option for administering medication. A needle is placed into the patient’s vein so that a plastic catheter can be slipped over the needle into the vein. The needle is then removed, and the catheter is taped in place. While IV therapy is common, it is not 100 percent safe, and IV infiltration and related complications can arise.

IV infiltration occurs when the liquid that is supposed to go into the vein instead goes into the surrounding tissue. Infiltration can be caused by improper placement or dislodgement of the catheter. In some cases, patient movement can cause the catheter to slip out through the blood vessel lumen. An extremely serious form of infiltration is extravasation, which takes place when the type of medication placed into the vein causes severe tissue damage when it is released outside the vein. This can lead to the death of certain tissues and cause long-term injuries, such as permanent nerve damage, loss of function, and even limb amputation in severe cases that IV error attorneys in the Baltimore area have observed.

Patients expect a certain level of care during a medical procedure. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals must take steps to make sure that a patient does not suffer preventable IV infiltration injuries. They need to insert IV needles properly, pick the right catheter size, and follow other safety protocols before, during, and after insertion. These medical professionals should also monitor the patient and look out for signs and symptoms associated with infiltration, such as pain or swelling at the insertion point. Early detection of infiltration may prevent nerve damage and tissue death.

When a medical professional provides substandard care that results in injuries, a patient has rights. A patient who has been injured by IV infiltration can typically file a medical malpractice claim against the at-fault party. Medical malpractice occurs when a health care professional causes harm by deviating from the standard of care that a reasonably prudent medical professional in the same specialty would have used in the same situation. In order to establish medical malpractice in Maryland, a Baltimore IV error attorney must prove that:

The medical professional owed the patient a duty of care;

The medical professional breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff; and

The medical professional’s breach was a direct cause of IV infiltration and the patient’s resulting injuries.

If a patient wins a medical malpractice claim, they can recover a variety of economic and non-economic damages in Maryland. (This is the term used to refer to compensation for the injury.) Plaintiffs can typically recover payments for medical care, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and any other losses arising from the malpractice.

Contact an IV Error Lawyer in the Baltimore Area

If you or someone close to you has suffered an injury due to IV infiltration, you need to reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, we are committed to helping you investigate the cause of your injuries and holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm that they cause. We understand that IV infiltration is not just physically painful but extremely stressful as well, and we will try to make the legal process as seamless as possible for you. Arfaa Law Group represents people who need an injury attorney throughout the state of Maryland. You can call 410-889-1850 or contact us online for an appointment.